Getting back to normal

By James A. Johnson | The Newport Daily News

Saturday

Jan 4, 2014 at 12:01 AMJan 4, 2014 at 12:30 AM

Newport County residents spent much of Friday digging out from the first storm of 2014.

Most of those who didn’t have to leave their homes remained inside for much of the morning, as the wind howled and the temperature remained in single digits. By mid-afternoon, the sun was shining, the wind had subsided and crews were finishing up plowing and sanding area streets, where at least 5 inches of snow had fallen Thursday night and Friday morning.

Newport County fared better than most of Rhode Island, and parts of Massachusetts got almost 2 feet of snow.

Locally, the main concern Friday night was temperatures as low as 7 degrees that could result in a wind chill factor of 3 degrees below zero, according to the National Weather Service.

“My advice is to stay inside and stay warm,” said Newport Fire Chief Peter Connerton, who also serves as director of the Newport Emergency Management Agency.

The temperature today is expected to rise into the 30s.

“Our big concern now is when the ground thaws out and then freezes again,” Connerton said. “Frozen water pipes could burst.”

At least 20 area residents sought shelter Thursday night and Friday morning at a warming center established at the Seamen’s Church Institute at 18 Market Square in Newport.

Superintendent Michelle Duga said about a dozen people went to the center Thursday night. Some stayed until about 11 p.m. and then left to sleep at the homes of friends, she said. Others remained overnight, sleeping on cots and dining on a breakfast of French toast and sausage Friday morning, she said.

“Fifteen to 20 people came in about 6 o’clock Friday morning,” Duga said. “We greeted them with hot coffee.”

Those finding comfort at the warming center helped take down the institute’s Christmas decorations and did other chores, she said.

“The police did a great job of keeping people off the streets last night,” Duga said Friday morning.

Most roads in Middletown were clear by noon Friday, Middletown Public Works Director Thomas O’Loughlin said.

“We’re in pretty good shape,” he said early Friday afternoon. “We’re doing the final cleanup, clearing off roads where snow drifted back on. When that is done, we’ll do a salt and sand treatment.”

He was among those looking forward to a warming trend today and Sunday.

“Hopefully the warmer temperatures will melt much of the snow,” O’Loughlin said.

Portsmouth Public Works Director David Kehew said East and West Main roads through Portsmouth and Middletown were clear down to the pavement by mid-afternoon.

Crews began plowing local roads Thursday about 8 p.m. and continued working through most of Friday afternoon, he said.

“After the snow stopped in the morning, I asked the crews if they wanted to go home and sleep for four hours and finish up later,” Kehew said. “They unanimously wanted to keep working until the job was done.”

Traffic remained light early Friday, which made it easier for the crews to plow. Breakdowns of town vehicles hampered the operation, he said.

Traffic picked up late Friday morning, when the snow stopped and the sun began breaking through the clouds.

“We’re in pretty good shape,” Kehew said. “Some roads are still pretty slippery. We will be treating the roads after the plowing is done.”

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.